What are the most spectacular roads in Chile?

From the whispering dunes of the Atacama to the icy embrace of Patagonian glaciers, Chile paints a mesmerizing canvas for road trip enthusiasts. Starting on Ruta 5, the Panamerican Highway unfurls the slender tapestry of Chile's dramatic geography. But beyond this iconic route lies the intrigue of Paso Internacional Los Libertadores, snaking through majestic mountain passes, and the challenging terrain leading to the Ojos del Salado stratovolcano, the world’s highest active volcano.

Dive deeper into the heart of the Atacama with Route 27, a ribbon of road where salt flats stretch to infinity and night skies boast a celestial brilliance unmatched anywhere else. The southern allure of the Carretera Austral beckons next, a captivating route winding through lush forests, shimmering fjords, and the untamed beauty of Patagonia. And for those craving more, the Paso del Planchón offers yet another testament to Chile’s road trip wonders.

In Chile, roads aren't just stretches of tarmac; they are narrators. Narrators of tales where ancient traditions blend seamlessly with breathtaking terrains, and where the dance of land and sea is as timeless as the wind. So, gear up, rev that engine, and embark on a Chilean odyssey where every bend, every ascent, and every horizon tells a story.

Chollay-Punta Colorada road is one of the most scenic drives in Chile. The road climbs several mountain passes through more than 30 hairpin turns.

Pascua Lama is an international high mountain peak at an elevation of 5.256m (17,244ft) above the sea level, located in the Andes mountains, in the southern reaches of Atacama Desert, on the border of Argentina and Chile. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

C-173 is a high mountain track located in the Atacama region of Chile, running entirely over the 3.000m above the sea level.

Cordón de Inacaliri is a volcano at an elevation of 5.395m (17,700ft) above the sea level, located on the Chilean-Bolivian border. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of the country.

Paso Barros Arana is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.431m (11,256ft) above the sea level, located on an arid high plateau in the Andes mountains of northeastern Chile.

R-925-S is a very scenic drive located at the foot of the Andes, in the Province of Cautín, Araucanía Region, in Chile.

Cerro Tololo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.207m (7,241ft) above the sea level, located in the foothills of the Andes, in the Coquimbo Region of northern Chile.

Cuesta Chita is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.512m (14,803ft) above the sea level, located in the Andes mountains of northeastern Chile. It’s one of the highest roads of the country, running entirely over 3.000m above the sea level.

Cerro Canasa is a high mountain pass at an elevation of  4.304m (14,119ft) above the sea level, located in the Chilean Tarapacá Region, near the Bolivian border.

Mirador de Toconce is a high mountain observation deck at an elevation of 3.339m (19,954ft) above the sea level located in the Antofagasta region of Chile.

Cerro Las Campanas is a high mountain peka at an elevation of 2.380m (7,810ft) above the sea level, located in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile, the driest and remotest desert on Earth.

Paso Apacheta de Irpa o Cancosa is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.010m (13,156ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Chile and Bolivia.

Valle Nevado chairlift lies in the Andes Mountains of Chile, at an elevation of 3.306m (10,846ft) above the sea level.

La Silla is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.400m (7,900ft) above the sea level, located in the southern part of the Atacama desert of northern Chile, the driest and remotest desert on Earth.

Paso Visviri is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.095m (13,435ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Chile and Bolivia.

Paso de San Juan is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.607m (11,833ft) above the sea level, located in the Andes mountains of northeastern Chile.

Nevados de Vilcún is a ski resort at an elevation of 1.508m (4,947ft) above the sea level, located within the Conguillío National Park, in the Araucania region of Chile.

Cerro Capi is a mountain at an elevation of 965m above the sea level located in northern Chile’s Atacama Desert. The road is extremely steep, with sections up to 15%.

Portezuelo Maricunga is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.133m (13,559ft) above the sea level, located in northern Chile’s Atacama Desert. Daytime temperatures will reach up to 30 °C, while at night temperatures will tend to drop very low, even below freezing point in winter. There are often also b winds in the area.

Cuesta de Llanta is one of the most demanding roads in Chile. Located in Chañaral Province, Atacama Region, the climb is simply terrible. It’s heavily trafficked by trucks.

Portezuelo de Guaitiquina is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.288m (14,068ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Chile and Argentina.

Quebrada Blanca is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.389m (14,399ft) above the sea level, located in the Tarapacá Region of Chile.

Azufrera Tacora is an abandoned sulphur mine at an elevation of 4.518m (14,822ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Chile and Peru.

Carretera B-898 is a very scenic drive located in Antofagasta Province, in northern Chile. The road, also known as Ruta Patrimonial de Taltal, is 30.0 km long.

Refugio Claudio Lucero is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 4.527m (14,852ft) above the sea level, located in the Atacama Region of Chile, near the Argentinian border.

A-235 is a very exciting journey in the heart of the Las Vicuñas National Reserve, in the Arica and Parinacota Region of Chile.  It runs entirely over 4.100m above the sea level.

Cerro Camellos is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4.431m (14,537ft) above the sea level, located in the Tarapacá Region of Chile.

Paso Guaitiquina is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.451m (14,603ft) above the sea level located in the Antofagasta Region of northern Chile. The climb is simply terrible, with a notorius lack of oxygen that tests the organisms and a high degree of steepness. Most people feel altitude sickness at around 2,500-2,800 meters. Near the pass, oxygen is in short supply.

Portezuelo El Gaucho is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.177m (13,704ft) above the sea level, located in Huasco Province, in Atacama Region of Chile.

Volcán Apagado is a volcano at an elevation of 5.343m (17,529ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Chile (Región de Antofagasta) and Bolivia (Potosi Department).

Carretera D-447 is a very scenic drive located in the Elqui Province, Coquimbo Region, in Chile. This is a maintained road where a high clearance 2WD vehicle is able to travel safely at low speeds on long dry straight-of-ways, without losing control due to wash boarding, ruts, or dips.

Refugio Atacama is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 5.256m (17,244ft) above the sea level, located in the Atacama Region of Chile, near the Argentinian border.

Portezuelo Paranal is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.832m (15,853ft) above the sea level located in the Antofagasta Region of Chile, near the Argentinian border. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Cerro Azufrera de los Cuyanos is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 5.553m (18,218ft) above the sea level, located in the Atacama Region of Chile, near the Argentinian border. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Lagoon Casiri is a high mountain lagoon at an elevation of 4.856m (15,931ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Chile and Bolivia.

Chile Route 23 (Ruta 23 CH) is a very scenic road located on an arid high plateau in the Andes mountains in the northern portion of Chile.